Protective headgear, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

A protective headgear device includes a helmet shell and a shield coupled to the helmet shell. The helmet shell defines an interior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port. The shield is coupled to the helmet shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable from a first position in which a second viewing port defined by the shield is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port to a second position that is different from the first position. At least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The disclosed devices and systems relate to protective devices. Moreparticularly, the disclosed devices and systems relate to protectivedevices that protect the head and neck of user.

BACKGROUND

Various manufacturing processes provide certain dangers to peopleperforming these processes. For example, welding of metals,thermoplastics, or other materials generates bright light emission thatcan damage a person's eyes. Further, welding also can generate sparks,which can be harmful if a person's skin or eyes are contacted with suchspark, and also generates noxious fumes that can be harmful if ingested.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective headgeardevice is disclosed. The protective headgear includes a helmet shell anda shield coupled to the helmet shell. The helmet shell defines aninterior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port. Theshield defines a second viewing port and is coupled to the helmet shellby a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a firstposition, in which the second viewing port is at least partially alignedwith the first viewing port, and a second position that is differentfrom the first position. At least a first arm and a second arm of theplurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a protectiveheadgear device includes a helmet having a shell. The shell defines aninterior cavity for receiving a person's head, a first viewing port, anopening, and a plurality of conduits. The opening is located at the rearof the shell and is in fluid communication with each of the plurality ofconduits that extend from the opening towards a front of the shell. Afirst optical component is disposed within the first viewing port. Ahose includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the hoseincludes a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to theopening defined by the helmet, and the second end of the hose includinga second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an airsupply. At least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle isconfigured to be a break-away connection.

A system is also disclosed that includes a helmet having a shell. Theshell defines an interior cavity for receiving a person's head, a firstviewing port, an opening disposed at the rear of the shell, and aplurality of conduits. Each of the plurality of conduits is in fluidcommunication with the opening defined by the shell. A first transparentprotective device is disposed within the first viewing port. A shielddefines a second viewing port and the shield is coupled to the shell ofthe helmet by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveablebetween a first position, in which the second viewing port is at leastpartially aligned with the first viewing port, to a second position thatis different from the first position. A hose includes a first end and asecond end. The first end of the hose includes a first nozzle forconnecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by theshell, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle forconnecting the second end of the hose to an air supply. The shieldincludes a magnet for engaging a first object of the shell to maintainthe shield in the first position and for engaging a second object of theshell to maintain the shield in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top side isometric view of one example of protectiveheadgear including a protective neck drape in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a front side view of the protective header illustrated in FIG.1 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a bottom side isometric view of the protective headgearillustrated in FIG. 1 without the protective neck drape in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a left side plan view of the protective headgear without aprotective neck drape in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a right side plan view of the protective headgear without aprotective neck drape in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the protective headgear illustratedin FIG. 5 taken along line B-B in FIG. 5 in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front-side plan view of the protective headgearillustrated in FIG. 1 without the protective neck drape and with theshield in a refracted position in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the protective headgear illustratedin FIG. 7 taken along line A-A in FIG. 8 in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a top isometric view of the protective headgear illustrated inFIG. 1 without the protective neck drape and with the shield in aretracted position in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a top side plan view of a shield for protective headgear inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the shield illustrated in FIG. 10taken along line A-A in FIG. 10 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a rear side plan view of the shield for protective headgearillustrated in FIG. 10 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13A is a side view of the protective headgear with the shielddisposed in a second position in which the view port of the shield isnot aligned with the view port of the shell in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 13B is a sectional view of the protective headgear shown in FIG.13A along line A-A in FIG. 13A in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13C shows the detail B shown in FIG. 13B in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 13D illustrates the shield having been disconnected from an arm inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of the headgear with thewearer's head rendered in position and the left side of the helmet shellremoved to show the liner and the removable comfort pads.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are the perspective views of FIGS. 14A and 14B,respectively, without the rendering of the wearer's head.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the liner for the protective headgear.

FIG. 17A is a side view of the head gear of the present disclosureidentifying planes A-A and B-B for the sectional views being shown inFIGS. 17B and 17C, respectively.

FIG. 17B shows a section taken through A-A as identified in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C shows a section taken through B-B as identified in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a protection system including protectiveheadgear, a hose, and an air supply unit in accordance with someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description.

The disclosed protective headgear advantageously provides the user witha conditioned (e.g., heated, cooled, and/or filtered) flow of air whileprotecting the user from airborne contaminants and ultraviolet/infraredlight or other potentially damaging light. Further, the disclosedprotective headgear includes a multi-point pivoting shield that reducesthe outward extension of a protective visor such that the visor can bepivoted from a refracted position to a deployed position in confinedareas, and the protective headgear also includes a quick releasemechanism enabling a protective filter device supported by the shield tobe replaced easily. These and other advantages will be apparent afterreading the following description of the various embodiments.

Turning now to the figures, and particular to FIG. 1, one example of aprotective headgear 100 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the headgear100 includes a helmet shell 102 defining an interior cavity 104 (FIG. 3)sized and configured to receive a person's head therein. In someembodiments, the helmet shell 102 comprises two or more portions thatare assembled or joined together using adhesive, screws, integral snapfit mechanisms, and/or other methods for coupling the two or moreportions together. For example, the helmet shell 102 can include twoindividually molded portions that are joined together to form thecomplete shell. In the illustrated example depicted in the figures, thetwo individually molded portions are joined together with a plurality ofbolts/screws 23. (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, for example). One of ordinary skillin the art, however, will understand that the helmet shell 102 can alsobe formed as a unitary structure. A protective neck drape 50 can beattached to a lower portion of the helmet shell 102 using Velcro®,snaps, zippers, fixed buttons, welding, or through other attachmentmeans as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The helmet shell may be made of materials that will provide suitableimpact resistance and durability to provide protection for the personwearing the headgear 100. Durable polymers such as polycarbonate,polycarbonate alloy, or other similar polymers are some examples. Othernon-polymer materials can be used as long as they provide the desiredimpact resistance and durability and the material properties providemanufacturability.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the headgear 100 includes an outer protectiveshield 106. The protective shield 106 includes a frame 136 defining asecond viewing port 138 and is provided at the front of the helmet shell102 as described below in connection with FIG. 6. The helmet shell 102defines a first viewing port 130.

The protective shield 106 is pivotally coupled to the helmet shell 102at a plurality of locations on each of the left and the right side ofthe helmet shell by a plurality of arms. For example, in the illustratedexample, the protective shield 106 is coupled pivotally to the helmetshell by four support arms, including two straight upper support arms108-1, 108-2 (collectively “upper support arms 108”) and two angledsupport arms 110-1, 110-2 (collectively “lower support arms 110” or“angled lower support arms 110”).

The pivotal coupling between the protective shield 106 and the helmetshell 102 allows the protective shield to be moveable between a firstposition, in which the second viewing port 138 is at least partiallyaligned with the first viewing port 130, and a second position that isdifferent from the first position.

In some embodiments, the upper support arms 108 are positionedsuperiorly on the helmet shell 102 relative to the angled lower supportarms 110. Each of the upper support arms 108 is coupled to the helmetshell 102 and the protective shield 106 via fixation devices 112 such asa pair of screws, pins, or other fastening devices that enable the uppersupport arms 108 to be pivotally connected to the helmet shell 102 andthe protective shield 106.

Each of the angled lower support arms 110 includes a pair of divergentlegs 114, 116 that are connected to one another at an elbow 118 as bestseen in FIG. 1. The first leg 116 is coupled pivotally to the helmetshell 102 by a first fixation device 112, and the second leg 114 iscoupled pivotally to the protective shield 106 using a second fixationdevice 120 (120-1 or 120-2 depending on which of the two lower supportarms 110-1 and 110-2 but, here, collectively referred to as “120”).

In some embodiments, the second fixation device 120 is the same as thefirst fixation device 112, and in some embodiments, the second fixationdevice 120 is different from the first fixation device 112. In someembodiments, the second fixation device 120 is configured to connect thelower support arms 110 to the protective shield 106 in a releasablemanner. FIG. 13C shows the detailed structures of the second fixationdevice 120-2 and the corresponding mating portion of the protectiveshield 106 that are configured to releasably connect.

In FIG. 13C, a detailed view of the fixation device 120-2 is shown as anexample and is applicable to the fixation device 120-1 on the oppositeside of the headgear 100. The fixation device 120-2 includes an elongatepin structure 120A-2 that extends inwardly from arm 110-2. In someembodiments, the pin 120A-2 has a cylindrical shape and is receivedslideably within a complementary recess 176 defined by the frame 136 ofthe shield 106. The arrangement of the pin 120A-2 and the recess 176enable the lower support arm 110-2 to be disconnected from the shield106 quickly in a manner by pulling a lower support arm 110-2 away fromthe shield 106 to disengage the pin 120A from the recess 176. As shownin FIG. 13D, both lower support arms 110-1, 110-2 have been disengagedfrom the shield 106, which enables the shield 106 to be pivoted aboutthe fixation device 112 of the upper support arms 108. In someembodiments, the lower support arms 110 are formed of a resilient orspring-like material such that the lower support arms 110 may be pulledapart and away from the shield 106, but return to their originalposition once the applied pulling force is removed.

Although the second fixation devices 120 are shown and described asconnecting the lower support arms 110 to the protective shield 106 in areleasable manner, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatthe second fixation devices 120 can also be used to connect the uppersupport arms 108 to the protective shield 106 in a releasable manner.

As best seen in FIGS. 4-5, the helmet shell 102 includes one or moreridges 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 (collectively “ridges 122”), and 121that extend from a hose connection unit 124 located at the rear orposterior portion of the helmet shell 102 to a side of the helmet shell102 such that each ridge 121, 122 terminates at a different location.For example, the ridge 121 extends from the hose connection unit 124,which is positioned at the center of the lower rear of the helmet shell102 in some embodiments, to a location along the upper portion of thehelmet shell 102 at the approximate center relative to the left andright sides of the helmet shell 102.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the ridge 122-1 extends from the hose connectionunit 124 upwardly along the left side of the helmet shell 102 (i.e.,away from a neck opening 105 shown in FIG. 3) when the helmet shell 102is viewed from the front as in FIG. 1 (i.e., the right side of the shell102 from the perspective of a person wearing the headgear 100) such thatthe ridge 122-2 terminates adjacent to the support arms 108-1 and 110-1.The ridge 122-2 extends along the lower left edge of the helmet shell102, adjacent to the neck opening 105 (FIG. 3), and terminates near thefront of the helmet shell 102 such that the ridge 122-1 is positionedbetween the ridge 121 and the ridge 122-2.

Turning now to FIG. 5, along the right side of the helmet shell 102, theridge 122-3 extends symmetrical to the ridge 122-1 when the headgear 100is viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., the left side of theshell 102 from the perspective of a person wearing the headgear 100).The ridge 122-4 extends symmetrical to the ridge 122-2 except that theridge 122-4 extends along the lower right of the helmet shell 102 whenviewed from the front of headgear 100. Although five ridges 121, 122 areshown, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that fewer ormore ridges 121, 122 can be provided and that the location andarrangement of the ridges 121, 122 can be varied.

As described in greater detail below, the ridges 122 and 121 each definea respective air flow conduit 126 for air delivery as best seen in FIG.6, which is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 13D, along the length of the ridges 121 and 122, the helmetshell 102 can have portions that extend along the length of the ridges121 and 122 to form interior wall 102A of the air flow conduits 126formed by the ridges 121 and 122.

One or more openings 128 are provided in the interior wall 102Apositioned at various locations along the lengths of the ridges 121 and122 to provide outlets for the air delivered through the air flowconduits 126. Each air flow conduit 126 thus provides for air passagefrom a hose connection unit 124 to one or more openings 128. Theseopenings 128 enable air to be distributed from the conduits into theinternal cavity 104 defined by the helmet shell 102.

In order to provide impact protection, comfort, and proper fit for theperson wearing the headgear 100, a liner 50 may be provided to fit inthe interior cavity 104 of the helmet shell 102. The liner 50 ispreferably made of a suitable foam or other elastic materials that canabsorb kinetic energy from impact. Some examples are the liner materialsused in motor cycle helmets, auto racing helmets, football helmets,bicycle helmets, and the like. The liner 50 can be made in multiplepieces or as a single-piece unit. In some embodiments, removable comfortpads that attach to the interior surface of the liner 50 may be providedto further enhance the comfort and fit to the person wearing theheadgear 100. Such configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 14A through17C.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A, and 15B are perspective views of the headgear 100with the wearer's left side of the helmet shell 102 removed to show theliner 50 and the associated removable comfort pads: the topside pad 31,the backside pad 32, the left-side pad 33-2, and the right-side pad33-1. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, the wearer's head is illustrated to show thecomfort pads relationship to the wearer's head. The liner 50 is providedwith a plurality of openings 128A positioned at appropriate locations toalign with the lengths of the ridges 121 and 122 when installed insidethe helmet shell 102 to provide outlets for the air delivered throughthe conduits 126. The comfort pads 31, 32, 33-1, and 33-2 can be made ofthe same material as the liner 50 or different material if appropriate.The comfort pads 31, 32, 33-1, and 33-2 are configured to be removablefrom the liner 50 so that they can be cleaned or replaced. The comfortpads can be provided in various sizes and varying compressibility,providing a selection of pads to customize fitting and comfort. Thecomfort pads and the liner 50 can be configured using any one of knownvariety of methods for providing temporary fixation to make the comfortpads removable. Velcro® and snap buttons are some examples.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the liner 50 removed from the helmet shell 102.FIG. 16A is a view of the liner 50 through its bottom opening forreceiving a person's neck. FIG. 16B is a view of the liner 50 throughits front opening. The topside pad 31, the backside pad 32, theleft-side pad 33-2, and the right-sde pad 33-1 can be seen.

FIGS. 17B and 17C show cross-sectional views of the headgear 100 withthe liner 50 in place. FIG. 17B shows the section taken through A-A asidentified in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17C shows the section taken through B-B asidentified in FIG. 17A.

The sectional views of FIG. 17B and 17C show an alternate embodimentwhere the airflow conduits 126 formed by the side ridges 122-1, 122-2,122-3, and 122-4 do not have the interior walls 102A. In thisembodiment, the interior sides of the side ridges 122-1, 122-2, 122-3,and 122-4 are open troughs when viewed from the inside of the helmetshell 102 without the liner 50 because there are no interior walls 102A.When the liner 50 is in place inside the helmet shell 102, the liner 50fits snuggly against the interior surface of the helmet shell 102 andthe liner 50 and the side ridges together define the airflow conduits126. As shown in FIG. 17C, the openings 128A provide the air outlet fromthe conduits 126.

As best seen in FIGS. 6-9, the helmet shell 102 defines the firstviewing port 130 at the front of the helmet shell 102. The first viewingport 130 is illustrated as providing a large field of view as the firstviewing port 130 is dimensioned to be substantially as long as anaverage person's head. In some embodiments, for example, a length of thefirst viewing port 130 is approximately eight inches. One of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that the length of the first viewingport 130 may be varied. An optical component 132, such as a transparentprotective face plate, is disposed within the view port 130. As bestseen in FIG. 8, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A inFIG. 7, the optical component 132 is positioned against a shoulder 134of the helmet shell 102. The optical component 132 can be secured to theshoulder 134 using any suitable method, including adhesives or throughthe use of a mechanical structure (e.g., screw, dovetail, or a frictionfit, to list only a few possibilities).

Still referring to FIG. 8, a gasket 134 is disposed around the opticalcomponent 132 and is configured to provide a seal between the helmetshell 102 and the protective shield 106 when the shield 106 is disposedin a protective position such that the shield 106 is disposed in frontof the optical component 132 (i.e., to the left of the helmet shell 102in FIG. 8). The gasket 134 advantageously prevents dirt and othercontaminants from being received between the protective shield 106 andthe optical component 132 when the shield 106 is deployed in aprotective position.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the protective shield 106 includes aframe 136 defining a second viewing port 138. In some embodiments, thesecond viewing port 138 is smaller than the first viewing port 130defined by the helmet shell 102, although one of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the relative sizes of the first viewing ports130 and the second viewing ports 138 may be varied. A frame 136 of theshield 106 is configured to support an optical component 140 within thesecond viewing port 138. In some embodiments, the optical component 140is the same type as the optical component 132. However, in someembodiments, the optical component 140 is a filter plate, such as awelding filter plate, for protecting the eyes of the wearer of theheadgear 100 from ultraviolet and/or infrared light. In someembodiments, the optical component 140 is an auto-darkening filterplate, such as the PHANTOM® LITE XL or STRIKER™ auto-darkening filterplates available from Sellstrom Manufacturing Co. of Shaumburg,Illinois. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that theoptical component 140 can take other forms.

As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, which is a cross-sectional view of theprotective shield 106 taken along line A-A in FIG. 10, the opticalcomponent 140 is supported against a shoulder 142 provided by the frontof the frame 136 that at least partially surrounds the second viewingport 138. The frame 136 also includes one or more catches 144 disposedat a distance from the shoulder 142 such that the optical component 140may be received between the shoulder 142 and the catch 144. In someembodiments, the one or more catches 144 are positioned above the secondviewing port 138, but one ordinary skill in the art will understand thatone or more catches 144 may be above, below, and/or to the sides of thesecond viewing port 138. At the lower end of the second viewing port138, the shield 106 includes a pivoting mounting device 146. In someembodiments, the pivoting mounting device 146 includes a pivotingprojection 148 secured to the frame 136 using a screw, bolt, or otherthreaded fastener 150, which is received within an aperture 152 definedby the frame 136.

As described in greater detail below, the fastener 150 can be rotatedsuch that the fastener 150 is advanced into and out of the aperture 152to increase or reduce the friction on the projection 148 to facilitateinstallation and removal of the optical component 140 in the shield 106.

The frame 136 also defines a recess 154 extending from the inner side156 of the frame 136. The recess 154 is positioned above the secondviewing port 138 and beneath the upper edge 158 of the frame 136. Therecess 154 is sized and configured to receive a magnet 160 therein. Themagnet 160 can be secured within the recess 154 using a variety ofmeans, including adhesives or being mechanically secured within therecess 154 as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Insome embodiments, the magnet 160 is a permanent magnet. The magnet 160is configured to engage other magnets located within or affixed to thehelmet shell 102.

For example, the magnet 160 is configured to engage the magnets 162, 164supported by the helmet shell 102 as best seen in FIG. 8. As shown inFIG. 8, the magnet 162 is positioned in a recess 166 located along theridge 121, and the magnet 164 is disposed within the recess 168 locatedabove the first viewing port 130 defined by the helmet shell 102. Themagnet 160 engages the magnet 162 when the shield 106 is disposed in aretracted, or non-protective, position as shown in FIGS. 7-9 to maintainthe shield 106 in the retracted position. The magnet 160 engages themagnet 164 when the shield 106 is in a protective position as shown inFIGS. 1-6 to maintain the shield 106 in the protective position and toimprove the seal between the shield 106 and the gasket 134.

Referring to FIG. 18, the headgear 100 is configured to be used with ahose 200 and air delivery system 300 to provide conditioned air to theinternal cavity 104 via the hose connection unit 124, which defines anopening 170, and the conduits 126. For example and referring to FIG. 3,the opening 170 defined by the hose connection unit 124 provides aninlet for air from the hose 200 that distributes the conditioned airgenerated by the air delivery system 300. In some embodiments, the hoseconnection unit 124 includes a reduced diameter portion 172 thatincludes a circumferential rib 174 that is configured to engage acorresponding the recess defined by the nozzle 202 that couples an end204 of the hose 200 to the hose connection unit 124.

The disclosed protective headgear described above advantageouslyprovides the user with a flow of air while protecting the user fromairborne contaminants and ultraviolet/infrared light or otherpotentially damaging light. Further, the disclosed protective headgearincludes a multi-point pivoting shield that reduces the outwardextension of a protective visor such that the visor can be pivoted froma retracted position to a deployed position in confined areas, and theprotective headgear also includes a quick release mechanism enabling anoptical component supported by the shield, such as a protective filterdevice, to be replaced easily.

Although the devices and systems have been described in terms ofexemplary embodiments, they are not limited thereto. Rather, theappended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variantsand embodiments of the devices and systems, which may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and range ofequivalents of the devices and systems.

1. A protective headgear device, comprising: a helmet shell defining aninterior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port; a shielddefining a second viewing port and coupled to the helmet shell by aplurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a firstposition, in which the second viewing port is at least partially alignedwith the first viewing port, and a second position that is differentfrom the first position, wherein at least a first arm and a second armof the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.
 2. Theprotective headgear device of claim 1, wherein the helmet shell definesa plurality of conduits that are in fluid communication with an openingdefined by the helmet shell for receiving a nozzle of a hose.
 3. Theprotective headgear device of claim 2, wherein the opening defined bythe shell is located at a rear of the shell and each of the plurality ofconduits extend from the opening towards a front of the shell.
 4. Theprotective headgear device of claim 2, further comprising a linerprovided within the interior cavity, wherein each of the plurality ofconduits is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of thehelmet shell via at least one opening extending through the liner. 5.The protective headgear device of claim 2, wherein each of the pluralityof conduits is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of thehelmet shell via at least one opening defined by an internal surface ofthe helmet shell.
 6. The protective headgear device of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of conduits are defined by a plurality of ridgesintegrally formed with the helmet shell.
 7. The protective headgeardevice of claim 1, wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging afirst magnetic object provided in the helmet shell to maintain theshield in the first position.
 8. The protective headgear device of claim7, wherein the helmet shell includes a second magnetic object to beengaged by the magnet in the shield to maintain the shield in the secondposition.
 9. The protective headgear device of claim 1, wherein a firstoptical component is disposed within the first viewing port, and whereinthe first optical component is at least partially surrounded by agasket, the gasket configured to engage a second optical component thatis removably disposed within the second viewing port defined by theshield to provide a seal between the helmet shell and the shield. 10.The protective headgear device of claim 9, wherein the second opticalcomponent is a filter plate.
 11. The protective headgear device of claim10, wherein the filter plate is an auto-darkening filter plate.
 12. Theprotective headgear device of claim 1, wherein the each of the first armand the second arm are formed from a resilient material such that thefirst and second arms can be moved away from the shield to facilitatethe detachment of the arms from the shield.
 13. The protective headgeardevice of claim 1, wherein the helmet shell includes at least twoportions that are joined together.
 14. The protective headgear of claim1, wherein the first arm is positioned below a third arm of theplurality of arms, and the second arm is positioned below a fourth armof the plurality of arms.
 15. A protective headgear device, comprising:a helmet including a shell, the shell defining an interior cavity forreceiving a head, a first viewing port, an opening, and a plurality ofconduits, the opening is located at a rear of the shell and is in fluidcommunication with each of the plurality of conduits, wherein theplurality of conduits extending from the opening towards a front of theshell; a first optical component disposed within the first viewing port;and a hose including a first end and a second end, the first end of thehose including a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hoseto the opening defined by the helmet, and the second end of the hoseincluding a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose toan air supply, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the secondnozzle is configured to form a break-away connection.
 16. The protectivedevice of claim 15, wherein the plurality of conduits are defined by aplurality of ridges integrally formed with the shell.
 17. The protectivedevice of claim 15, further comprising a shield defining a secondviewing port and coupled to the shell by a plurality of arms such thatthe shield is moveable between a first position, in which the secondviewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port,to a second position that is different from the first position,
 18. Theprotective device of claim 17, wherein at least a first arm and a secondarm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.
 19. Theprotective device of claim 17, wherein the shield includes a magnet forengaging a first magnetic object provided in the shell to maintain theshield in the first position.
 20. The protective device of claim 19,wherein the shell includes a second magnetic object to be engaged by themagnet in the shield to maintain the shield in the second position. 21.A system, comprising: a helmet including a shell, the shell defining aninterior cavity for receiving a head, a first viewing port, an openingdisposed at a rear of the shell, and a plurality of conduits, each ofthe plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the openingdefined by the shell; a first transparent protective device disposedwithin the first viewing port; a shield defining a second viewing portcoupled to the shell of the helmet by a plurality of arms such that theshield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewingport is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, and asecond position that is different from the first position; and a hoseincluding a first end and a second end, the first end of the hoseincluding a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to theopening defined by the shell, and the second end of the hose including asecond nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an airsupply, wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a firstmagnetic object of the shell to maintain the shield in the firstposition and for engaging a second magnetic object of the shell tomaintain the shield in the second position.
 22. The system of claim 21,wherein the first nozzle provides a break-away connection with thehelmet.